LALAGE HOVE^FOLIA. 
(Hovea-like leaved Lalage). 
Class. Order. 
M ONADELPHIA . ■ DECANDMA. 
• Natural Order. 
LEGUMINOS,E. 
Generic Character.— Bracts of the flowers decidu- 
ous, dry, included. Calyx two-lipped ; upper lobe bifid ; 
lower one three-parted; all the segments setaceous. 
Vexillum plane, subrotund, emarginate. Keel obtuse. 
Stamens all connected. 
Specific Character. — Plant an evergreen shrub. 
Branches weak, pubescent. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 
mucronate, subcordate at the base. Stipules some- 
what ovate, acuminate. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, silky. 
Calyx with its upper segments connate to the middle. 
Vexillum bright yellow. Wings and keel reddish 
purple. 
The pretty Lalage ornata, brought into notice several years ago by Mr. Knight, 
nurseryman, of Chelsea, has ever since retained its value as a greenhouse shrub, 
on account of the extreme compactness of its habit when properly grown, and 
the lively beauty which was described as existing in its numberless flowers. Un- 
questionably, if there be anything in a name, — and few will deny this, — one which 
belonged to a peculiarly facetious and sprightly lady, immortalized by Horace, and 
which was applied to this plant on account of its being emblematical of those 
qualities in its gay and joyous colours, ought to secure our esteem. But without 
any desire to disparage the species, we have always thought there was an inde- 
scribable dulness or dinginess in the tints by which its blossoms are shaded, and 
that it was surpassed in liveliness by many plants which are far less sought after. 
Undoubtedly, from its dwarfness, its bushiness, and denseness, as well as from 
the profusion of its moderately showy blooms, it is worthy of general culture. 
Yet we would have it prized for its true merits, and not for that pre-eminence of 
gaiety which we cannot ascribe to it. 
L. hovecefolia, a drawing of which we are now enabled to introduce, through 
the kindness of Mr. Low, of Clapton, who supplied the subject of it last February, 
is, to our mind, a sprightlier species than L. ornata, as far as relates to the flowers. 
These are of a clearer yellow tint in the standard, and the wings and keel have a 
pleasing purplish hue instead of a dusky brown. But it wants the close and erect 
habitude of its ally, and is apt to attain a disagreeable laxness. In the specimen 
which we examined, the branches were weakly, and inclined to straggle ; though 
